This Is A New Take On Mental Issues

[retrocop]

A man runs amok in the USA killing and stabbing several people and a Police Lt states' this man is full of anger'. If the crimes were not so heinous that understatement is almost laughable.
Is it the new default response to, 'suspect believed to be suffering mental issues'?
He could of added, 'this man was quite dangerous'


https://uk.news.yahoo.com/four-killed-two-injured-knife-rampage-california-091150824.html

[Mamyalynne]

I think the last thing any community needs immediately after a horror like this in their midst is a statement full of invective and finger pointing.

Emotions are running high already.

He has history and am sure there are questions that need answers but they have him and that's now their job.

[andy-hughes]

Let's face it, anyone who runs amok and kills any number of complete strangers has mental issues.

They may be governed by a recognised psychological condition, or they may be the result of religious ideology, but the fact remains that this is not the behaviour of a rational free-thinking individual.

Therefore, the police can report their initial impressions, be that, as seems to the case here, the individual has simply 'snapped' and behaved in an ungovernable rage, and that would be behavior opposite to someone who appears to have premeditated his actions, and carried them out completely calmly.

That said, as I say, I believe the notion of mental instability can be taken as read as reason - but never as an excuse.

[pixie374]

Actually, I think everyone has mental health issues... just as everyone has physical health issues- it is only a matter of degree. Uncontrolled anger is a mental health issue, yes. It is not intended as an excuse, but sometimes treatment is going to be more effective than punishment. Surely, the aim is prevention of future crimes, more than appeasing the public?
I'm not even honestly convinced that the media should use words such as 'savage' or 'brutal'. In my opinion, they should report the actual facts only, and leave the readers to decide the emotional words. We don't need sensationalism, most of us can think for ourselves.

[Mamyalynne]

Police lieutenant Carl Whitney used those words, he knows more of the actual way the incidents took place.

Whether they should be reported or not is a different matter.

[pixie374]

Personally, I think the facts, and quotes from witnesses are fair. I'm just not sure we need advice on how to think about it from the media as well x

[andy-hughes]

Retrocop - // If Mr Hughes was honest with himelf I am sure he actually said any one who commits terrorists attacks must have mental issues in any case. //

I have said it in the past, and probably will again, so why would I have to 'be honest' with myself when I have never denied what I have said.

As I have requested, please try and avoid tacking on something hostile about me every time you mention my name - it will save others the tedium of your personal (and utterly unfounded) vendetta.